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Wing prepares for fiscal year close out

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  It's getting close to the end of the fiscal year for the wing, which means it's time for the team at the 375th Comptroller Squadron to shine as they balance the books.

The military's fiscal year goes from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and as that end date approaches, the comptrollers ensure all funding appropriated to various units is either spent or redirected back into other Air Force accounts.

"We have a team of about 65 people, both military and civilian, who work late nights during September to process funding requests and account for every dollar," said Maj. Matthew Waggoner, 375th CPTS commander.

He explained that an Operations and Maintenance budget, or O&M funds, are provided to each unit for their day-to-day activities such as buying equipment, performing maintenance, repairing the base infrastructure, and funding training, just to name a few.
The 375th Air Mobility Wing's annual budget averages $145 million, with civilian payroll and utilities being the two largest expenditures. Waggoner explained how sequestration, the congressionally mandated funding reductions, has impacted the base.

"Sequestration brought a lot of restrictions on things that have been part of our normal daily operations specifically with regards to travel and purchases. We overcame these challenges by slowing down and thinking through exactly what we could do. We had to look at what was core in making the wing operate."

An example of this was funding set aside, as part of the budget process, for specific mission needs. If the final costs come in less than expected, then the wing can re-allocate the remaining funding toward other projects and requirements. Snow removal is one example of this. Given the mild winter, the wing still had funding remaining in this account which was used to help repair facilities from the rain storm in May.

The process of building a budget starts well before the current year begins. Bruce Greenwald, 375th CPTS Financial Management and Accounting chief, said, "The funding we receive is based on the wing coordinating with Air Mobility Command on what our mission needs are in order of their priority. These needs are gathered from the lowest levels, consolidated at the wing level, and then prioritized and approved by the wing commander with input from the group and squadron commanders. These priorities help us to support the mission of AMC and U.S. Transportation Command by supporting and maintaining base infrastructure and other support services."

While some areas on base found their improvement plans on hold, there are other quality-of-life entities that kept morale high across the base. These activities are paid for by Nonappropriated Funds, or NAF, do not receive funding from the government. They generate their revenues from the sale of goods and services to military and civilian personnel and their families. These funds support morale, welfare, recreation programs, lodging and some religious and educational programs.

Maj. Russell Callaway, 375th Force Support Squadron commander, said, "Basically, these funds come from our customers when they purchase goods and services from our Services activities such as the Youth Center, Child Development Center, golf course, bowling center, arts and crafts, Outdoor Recreation, Scott Club, and Information Tickets and Tours. We use these funds to reinvest in our activities to keep them running and improve them for use by our Airmen." That continued re-investment can be seen in such items as an updated car wash or renovated bowling lanes.

So as units finish the last purchases and the 375th CPTS team ensures all funds are accounted for, it is important to remember this is a team event. The 375th Contracting Squadron plays a major role in ensuring mission accomplishment as well. That said, everyone has a part to play in getting the most of every dollar.

"While funding cuts are not desired, they do give us the opportunity to reevaluate our procedures and policies to ensure we are doing things efficiently," said Waggoner, who added that the wing can expect more austere funding environments for fiscal year 2014.

"But, no matter what, the wing will step up and do what it takes to keep the base functioning while looking for better, more creative, less expensive ways to do business," he said. "Everyone from an Airman Basic on up has the ability to influence the budget--they just have to speak up. Anyone can bring their idea to save money through their leadership. The worst idea is the one you don't bring up. Keep your eyes open, and get your ideas out on the table."